LUNAR YEAR COLLECTION (2019) by CIT Coin Invest

The Lunar market seems to have cooled somewhat over the last couple of years, a good thing given the ridiculous numbers issued annually just half a decade ago, Fortunately, the mints have taken the opportunity to heart, with a noticeable increase in quality. The Perth Mints iconic Lunar Series reached its third go around last year and introduced a vastly better look, as did the Royal Mint. In our view, the best new introduction of the last few years has been CIT’s superb fully dimensional coins, part of a three issue range that also includes a five-gram silver foil banknote and a 0.5 gram minigold.

Fully dimensional coins are those that not only take on the shape of the subject, i.e. one that moves away from the usual geometric formats, but also does so on both faces. These are cutting edge numismatics, combining shapes previously only possible using casting, with the quality and detail inherent in a high-end strike. In conjunction with the German mint, B.H. Mayer, CIT developed a technique called ‘smartminting’ that makes this possible to an insanely high degree of quality.

The Mongolian-issued dimensional range has clearly attained a place in the market as one of the most admired of their genre. CIT did issue silver coins for two years before the 2019 range, but we’d consider this the start of the tightly integrated three-issue range that has become an annual fixture in the numismatic calendar.

2019 YEAR OF THE JOLLY PIG

The Year of the Pig covered by this issue is actually the year 4717 in the Chinese calendar and finished on 05 February 2019. It’s also known more specifically as the Year of the Brown Earth Pig. CIT chose to call it a ‘Jolly Pig’, which is fair enough, as it looks like it’s found a bag of its favourite cream buns. As the first issue, it had to set a high bar, and it has done that with ease. Fully dimensional (both sides) and richly decorated with a floral motif in the Asian-style, it’s a brilliant way to mark the lunar year in coin form and our favourite of the year.

For this first year, a follow up was produced for the Beijing International Coin Exposition in 2018. A lower mintage of 888 instead of 999, and the only real difference was the use of gilding in place of antiquing. Equally excellent, it suits the motif well.

The coin note is a typical one from CIT, packed with the fine, line-art that typifies modern banknotes. The Jolly Pig motif is carried on with a reproduction of the dimensional coin as the centrepiece. These notes come sealed in plastic,

The minigold is one of CIT’s standard 11.0 mm diameter strikes, not the more expansive 13.92mm ones. Again, the dimensional coin design is reproduced as the main attraction. Despite a small diameter, the producers technology has allowed a quite extraordinary level of detail for the size. These ones come encapsulated and there’s an optional box, newly revised in a style like those used by the Austrian Mint, but with a nice gold CIT logo on the lid.

2020 YEAR OF THE WITTY MOUSE

The Year of the Mouse (or the Rat as some mints have chosen to use) covered by this issue is the year 4718 in the Chinese calendar and started on 25th January 2020. It’s also known more specifically as the Year of the White Metal Mouse, appropriately enough, like silver. CIT chose to call this one the ‘Witty Mouse’.

Easily maintaining the standard of the first in the series, it carries on with the floral decoration in the same style. Despite being the second issue, the mouse is actually the first creature of the 12 in the lunar cycle. There was no sign of a gilded mouse for the Beijing show sadly, and we’re not expecting to see one given how much time has passed. Shame.

The coin note has few changes from the design and layout of the Year of the Pig note. Indeed, the only real change, aside from the obvious textual ones, is the animal image.

The minigold also remains conceptually identical, with the dimensional coin design used again, although the border is a little simpler, possibly just to show the difference from the first issue.

2021 YEAR OF THE MIGHTY OX

The Year of the Ox is a beefier design than previously, but doesn’t up the weight. Another gorgeous piece, it has changed the lighter and more numerous floral decoration for one large, almost ‘tribal tattoo’ peony on the animal’s back, although it is split down the middle into two halves.

Year 4719, and starting on 12 February 2021, the Year of the White Metal Ox also doesn’t get the plated yellow metal offering. Appropriately enough, given the design, CIT have chosen the moniker ‘Year of the Mighty OX’ for this year’s entrant.

The same subtle changes in colour and text, along with the depiction of the Ox, mark out the extent of the differences this year. The coin note range is clearly going to be tightly knot style-wise.

Another border change on the minigold, continuing the trend towards simplification, and the dimensional reproduction is back. No changes to the obverse.

2022 YEAR OF THE CHARMING TIGER

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The Year of the Tiger takes an off-beat interpretation of one of the planet’s most ruthless killing machines. Called the Charming Tiger, it has a satisfied look on its face. The pattern has moved from a symbolic one, to one mimicking the tiger’s natural stripes.

Chinese Year 4720, with a start date of 01 February 2022, the Year of the Black Water Tiger has morphed into the ‘Charming’ Tiger at CIT. A lightweight affair for an animal with the tiger’s fearsome reputation.

As we’ve said before, the coin notes are the most tightly styled of the three offerings, changing only minimally from year to year. The animal and the overall colour are the major defining alterations.

What we said about the Ox is just as relevant here. The border has become cleaner, but the image of the silver coin is as clear as ever. No changes to the obverse.

2023 YEAR OF THE SWEET RABBIT

Like the Mouse, the Rabbit coin has floral peony decorative elements on it, and a very cutesy appearance. There’s a little added complexity to the strike, especially around the ears, which are superbly done. Indeed, there seems to be improvements all over as the series progresses.

Chinese Year 4721, takes over on 22 January 2023, and is the Year of the Black Water Rabbit, but CIT simply call it ‘Sweet’. This is a classic example of just how quirky the interpretation of the Lunar Calendar is at CIT.

The coin note maintains that flourishing Asian art style, successfully making the transition to the fine-line artwork of a traditional banknote.

The minigold remains a relatively simple affair in comparison, but does a good job for its tiny diameter, with the dimensional silver coin being reproduced quite faithfully.

2024 YEAR OF THE GREAT SILVER DRAGON

A terrific depiction of the star of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, it manages to condense this most impressive of mythical beasts, the only one in the calendar not real, into something compact, yet instantly recognisable. The claws are well done, and there’s even a pearl, famed for its association with the dragon.

Chinese Year 4722, takes over on 10 February 2024, and is the Year of the Green Wood Dragon, and CIT have named it ‘Great’. One of the best of the series to date, which is fortunate given the creature’s popularity in the lunar calendar.

The coin note doesn’t stray from the series look, with the only real change being the creature depicted, and the general colour scheme of the note. Irrespective, a fine looking example of the genre.

Another good example of taking the design of the flagship dimensional release, and depicting it in miniature. The border has changed again, but the obverse remains the same.